Claiming Your Space in the World

Came across this quote the other day and thought it quite apt for any creative, moving in new directions and leaving their old lives behind. My late Babushka used to adore Jack London so this has special meaning for me. She also knew only to well the true essence of these wise words when she, my grandfather and my mother left their home and possessions in Russia during World War II to head to Poland and then to Germany – destination Switzerland – to eventually to find a new life in Australia.

When a man journeys into a far country, he must be
prepared to forget many of the things he has learned, and
to acquire such customs that are inherent with existence
in the new land; he must abandon the old ideals and the
old gods, and oftentimes he must reverse the very codes
by which his conduct has hitherto been shaped.

Jack London, "In a Far Country”

Sigh. Lest we forget.

Drawing Out, Drawing In: A Spotlight on Graphic Novels [UPDATED 21/04/10]

Australia's first Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas, the new Wheeler Centre in Melbourne, is running a Graphic Novel Spotlight weekend.

The graphic novel still attracts more than its share of stigma and snobbery, but its audiences are evangelical, its writers inspired and its sales enviable. And some of the most exciting developments in the form are coming out of Melbourne. With panel discussions, workshops and talks, and the help of some of the leading artists and writers in the field (including Bernard Caleo, Queenie Chan, W. Chew Chan, Oslo Davis, George Dunford, Nicki Greenberg, Bruce Mutard, Shaun Tan, Andrew Weldon and others) the Wheeler Centre is going to colour in the picture.

Dates: Friday 23 to Sunday 25 April 2010

Venue: Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale St Melbourne Vic 3000 Australia

Phone: (03) 9094 7800

Cost: ALL Saturday sessions are now free courtesy of publisher sponsor Allen & Unwin!

For more information and bookings go to the Wheeler Centre website.

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A few more headshots ... the one of Hyfus is one of Julie's all-time favourites ever and she just looks at it adoringly over and over. The other character is Ehnet who you will soon get to meet.

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New artwork - you're seeing it here first. Thought you might like a tantalising glimpse at a scene opener this time ...

ASA Launches 2010 Minimum Comics Freelance Page Rates

The Australian Society of Authors (ASA) Committee of Management ratified the new Minimum Comics Freelance Pages Rates at their March 2010 meeting. The need to develop page rates was based on the following considerations:

(1) Australian comics creators have no benchmarks or guidelines similar to picture book illustrators or freelance writers on what to charge for their various activities;

(2) There is a disparity between rates currently being charged by comics creators;

(3) The ASA and the Comics/Graphic Novels portfolio holders were increasingly getting more calls from people working in various organisations, teaching institutions and the private sector, enquiring about commissioning comics work but who have no idea of what rates to pay their freelancers; and

(4) There is a need for more transparency in the community in regard to rates so comics creators have benchmarks for preparing pitches and proposals, can place a monetary value on their talent and deliverables, as well as to educate commissioners on the intricacies and working parts that make up the comics medium.

These minimum page rates can be used as a starting point for contract negotiation and will differ according to the individual comics professional’s reputation, background and publishing history.

There were three research stages involved in the compilation of the recommended rates:

(1) In 2009 the ASA surveyed Australian comics creators to determine average page rates (see http://www.asauthors.org/lib/pdf/zGraphicNovels/GN2009/ASAComicsRatesSurveyReport.pdf

(2) In 2010 the ASA conducted an internet search using the key words “comics page rates” to find any local or overseas material that provided guidelines; and

(3) In 2010 the ASA compared page rates of the following organisations:

· Society of Book Illustrators (SOBI);

· Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA);

· Australian Cartoonists Association (ACA);

· Australian Graphic Designers Association (AGDA);

· Society of Editors (SoE); and

· The Graphic Artists’ Guild (GAG) in the USA.

The rates will be launched at the ASA Professional Development Seminars at Supanova Brisbane this weekend and Supanova Melbourne next weekend. If you would like to obtain a copy then go to the Rates and Conditions page of the ASA website or download them here.

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... and here's some more!

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Latest snapshots of Hyfus and Fillayne. Enjoy!